How to Use ASP.NET Identity for Custom Authentication in SharePoint Server 2019
Question details
Replacing legacy ASP.NET Membership with ASP.NET Identity for forms-based authentication in an on-premises SharePoint environment.

- Product
- SharePoint Server 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Configuring custom or forms-based authentication on a local server environment.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking proper guidance or resources to implement the modern ASP.NET Identity framework instead of the legacy Membership provider.
Ensure you have administrative access to your SharePoint Server 2019 Central Administration and understand the foundational differences between claims-based authentication and legacy membership models.
Consult the Microsoft SharePoint Server ITPro Forum
Because this involves complex on-premises configuration that differs significantly from SharePoint Online, reaching out to specialized SharePoint engineers is the recommended approach.
SharePoint Server 2019 inherently supports claims-based authentication. However, integrating a custom ASP.NET Identity provider requires specific web.config modifications, claims provider configurations, and IIS application pool adjustments that are highly specific to your local farm topology.
Open your web browser and go to the official Microsoft Q&A topics page for SharePoint Server ITPro (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/topics/office-sharepoint-server-itpro.html).
Click to ask a question and explain your current setup, including your SharePoint Server 2019 farm details and your specific goals with replacing ASP.NET Membership with ASP.NET Identity.
Microsoft engineers and specialized community members monitor these specific tags to provide guidance on custom authentication deployments.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ASP.NET Identity out-of-the-box with SharePoint Server 2019?
SharePoint Server 2019 natively supports Claims-based authentication out of the box. However, directly integrating modern ASP.NET Identity requires custom development, building custom claims providers, and executing specific web.config modifications across your web applications.
Is ASP.NET Membership completely deprecated in SharePoint 2019?
While Microsoft highly encourages modern authentication methods (such as SAML and OIDC integrations), legacy ASP.NET Membership can still technically be configured for forms-based authentication. However, transitioning to ASP.NET Identity is often preferred for new, secure custom implementations.
Where can I find official documentation for SharePoint forms-based authentication?
Official and technical documentation is available on the Microsoft Learn platform. Searching for 'SharePoint Server forms-based authentication' will provide configuration guides for adjusting IIS and Central Administration settings.




